In the afternoon in Levico Terme, inside Hapsburg Park, it was hard to predict a defeat for Rusanen, but his opponents didn't absolutely give up. Lauri Kontkanen (Finlandia), only 6th in the morning, was furious and climbed until the second place, beaten only by Jullum, who kept something of his advantage. Rusanen blew up at the third station, where he maybe saw 7 flags and made 3 mistakes (90 seconds penalty), flying out of the podium in favour of his teammate. Big performace for Japan's Naohiro Yamaguchi, from 19th up to 7th rank, and confirmation for Cera, 17th at the end. Two protests from the Finnish team were rejected by the Jury (Kontkanen was perhaps distracted by a spectator at the unlucky for the Finns 3rd station), so Jullum could win his first gold medal in a perfect season for him until now.
On Wednesday and Friday there will be the two stages of the PreO competition from 10 am by Malga Millegrobbe and in Campomulo di Asiago.
1. Martin Jullum – Norway – 546,5 seconds
2. Lauri Kontkanen – Finland – 576
3. Pinja Mäkinen – Finland – 584,5
4. Antti Rusanen – Finland – 605,5
5. Marit Wiksell – Sweden – 605,5
6. Tomáš Leštinský – Czech Republic – 680,5
(Open) Qual. + Final
(Open) Final puncher legend